The 5 Best Hand Truck for Stairs – [Reviews & Rankings]

A hand truck for stairs, also known as a dolly for stairs, is a type of cart equipped with tracks or wheels, used to move heavy objects up and down the stairs. The best hand trucks for stairs will feature a heavy carrying capacity, will be easy to handle, and will be lightweight.

Hand trucks are used for loads that are too heavy for a user to lift or support on their own, and too awkward or dangerous for multiple people to carry. A hand truck for stairs can be really useful for moving in or out of an apartment that’s not on the ground floor, as they allow for easy transport of large objects in buildings that don’t have elevators (Source).

There are two types of hand trucks for stairs. There is a 3-wheel design, made for use both off and on the stairs, and a one-wheel made specifically for stair climbing. The one-wheeled type makes use of tracks instead of additional wheels.

When considering the components of a hand truck for stairs, your prime consideration should be safety. After that, you need to take into consideration what you’ll be carrying up or down the stairs (Source).

Different scenarios call for different types of hand trucks, so if you don’t have any experience, choosing which one to get can be overwhelming. Before buying a hand truck for stairs, consider its weight, price, building materials, and use-case. It is also important to consider the hand truck’s load capacity.

In this article, we will take a comprehensive look at all the top-rated hand trucks for stairs. All of the hand trucks in this review will help you safely get large objects up and downstairs, whether you are a professional mover, or you are just moving out of your third-floor apartment.

What Is A Hand Truck For Stairs?

A stair climber hand truck is a type of cart equipped with tracks or rotating wheels used to move objects up and downstairs. This allows for easy transport of materials or objects where there may not be ready access to a ramp or elevator.

There are two basic types of hand trucks for stairs: manual and battery-powered.

Manual stairclimbers replace the single large wheels on either side of a typical hand truck with a tri-star configuration, or three wheels set into a triangle shape. As the user navigates a staircase, the tri-star wheels rotate to shift the weight of the load onto the next step while safely supporting the weight on the previous step.

Battery-powered hand trucks are used for loads, which are too heavy for a user to lift or support with manual power alone. These hand trucks use a mobile battery pack to lift and support the load.

How Much Does A Hand Truck For Stairs Cost?

There is a significant difference in cost between manual and battery-powered stairclimbers.

A manual powered hand truck can range from $30 to $250, but the load capacity is significantly less on the lower end of the price range, and these are likely to require more manual force from the user than the higher-end models.

Battery-powered stairclimbers can range from $200 to well over $3000. While these stairclimbers are expensive, they are well worth the price as they may be the only feasible option for moving heavy objects between floors if there is no ready access to an elevator or ramp.

Comparing The Best Hand Trucks for Stairs

1. NK Heavy Duty Hand Truck – Best Aluminum Hand Truck

This heavy-duty hand truck is a great and lightweight aluminum truck with good carrying capacity. Attesting to that is its sturdy construction which serves it well in a commercial setting.

Moreover, it carries an above average load at 500lbs. Therefore, it is a good all-around hand truck as well.

Additionally, it also boasts a superior design with a two-wheel stair-climbing feature. It fetaures a dual handle for flexible handling, too.

As you might know, aluminum has the advantage of being fairly lightweight for transportation when not in use.

This truck proves itself easy to handle whether loaded or unloaded; which is an important feature if you are looking after a one-person operation of your hand truck.

In addition to that, the aluminum material is rust proof.

2. Cosco 3-in 1 – Best Hand Truck for Commercial Users

Now, if the previous product was best suited for home, the Cosco 3-in-1, on the other hand, is the most versatile hand truck you can buy for commercial use.

It boasts a big carrying capacity at 800lbs; a great feature not found in other models on the market. Moreover, when used in the platform configuration, it has an even greater load capacity. It will carry up to 1000lbs.

Besides that, it is made from heavy-duty aluminum so it is lightweight to transport between jobs and is easier to handle.

Furthermore, it’s designed has three different configurations: upright stair climbing truck, four-wheeled cart, or four-wheeled hand truck for flat transportation.

Alongside that, it also has a good turning capacity for maneuvering in tight spaces.

3. Vevor Stair Climbing Cart – Best All Round Stair Climbing Hand Truck

Meanwhile, this cart is one of the top choices in the market because of its all-around features and design.

It has everything you would need for a stair-climbing truck. First, it is lightweight compared to other hand trucks. Second, it can still support the stair-climbing capacity you’re looking for despite that.

Third, its sturdy construction makes it ideal for businesses. It boasts undefeatable and solid rubber tires.

Additionally, they also have a good grip and handle uneven surfaces well.

However, it is ideal for smaller businesses and home use only because it is not a large hand truck and is easy to handle.

By saying it caters to small businesses well enough, it means they have an adjustable handle that does well if there are multiple users of the hand truck.

4. Eezglobal Foldable Stair Climbing Hand Truck and Luggage Cart – Best Luggage Cart

If you are a traveler or would prefer smaller hand trucks, however, there’s Eezglobal Foldable Stair Climbing Hand Truck and Luggage Cart.

This is a lightweight luggage hand truck that would be a great companion when traveling and could also serve as a hand truck for smaller carrying jobs around the home.  It has a carrying capacity of 400lbs.

Additionally, the stair climbing facility is a great feature when transporting luggage and other carrying jobs around the home or office. The steel frame means it is a good and strong cart for its size, and the overall weight of this truck means that it is fairly easy to transport when not in use.

Moreover, the back strut also means you can sit this truck down when loading. The tie-down straps that come with this hand truck mean you can secure your items for extra safety.

5. Harper PGCSK19BLK – Best Value for Money Hand Truck

Finally, this Harper model is for larger commercial concerns that require you to be able to carry large loads.

It is made of a relatively lightweight glass-filled nylon material that is strong and durable. However, because it is a large hand truck, it is quite on the heavy side.

On the bright side, it does mean it has a large carrying size. Plus, it has built-in stair glides for stair climbing.

Therefore, with a carrying capacity of 600lbs.,  it is ideal for medium to large size commercial businesses.

Additionally, its strong steel construction means it will last its customers for many years and provide good value for money because steel is a premium material for such an item.

Now, on a final note, the extra carrying capacity equates to fewer trips for you while doing the work.

How Does A Hand Truck For Stairs Work?

Manual hand trucks and battery-powered stairclimbers function similarly but each one is suited to a specific application. Both types will get your heavy or bulky objects up and downstairs, but the weight of the object is an important determining factor in which type of stairclimber to use.

Manual powered hand trucks use tri-star wheels, or a set of three wheels in a triangle configuration, on either side of the frame.

The weight of a load is balanced on one of the three wheels. When the hand struck encounters a step, the next wheel in the tri-star configuration reaches up, or lowers down, onto the next step and takes the weight of the load. The tri-star rotates so that the process is continuous, allowing for even a full staircase to be traversed with ease using manual power.

Battery-powered stairclimbers work in a similar fashion. But instead of using the tri-star wheel configuration, they use two small belts, each with a small “foot” attached.

When the load encounters a step, the foot rotates around the belt until it rests on the next step, taking the weight of the load. The belt then raises or lowers the weight onto the next step.

How To Use A Hand Truck For Stairs.

Whether you are using a manual or a battery-powered hand truck, take appropriate safety precautions when moving heavy objects. Stairclimbers are relatively easy to use, but the process can be nerve-wracking when moving several hundred pounds down a flight of stairs.

No matter which type you are using; they all work through the same process.

First, be sure that your hand truck is rated for the weight of the object you are attempting to move. If so, make sure that the load is securely attached to the hand truck.

Next, ensure that the staircase is free of obstructions and the landings are clear of people. Position the hand truck so that the tri-star wheels or the battery-powered “feet” are resting against the edge of the first step.

Then, using either manual or battery power, raise or lower the load to the next step.

Carefully repeat this process for each step.

Things to Consider Before Buying Your Hand Truck

When trying to decide on how much to spend, think about what you will save on moving costs. That may prompt you to buy a more durable and costly model.

Similarly, it will be cost-effective if you move often. It even enables you to do without a removal firm altogether.

However, always keep safety in mind; whether in a home or commercial setting. Protecting one’s employees is necessary and the same goes for one’s own health.

Why sacrifice your back lugging heavy bags and tools from one end of the yard to the other? Give technology a chance, consider having motorized wheelbarrows as they do the heavy hauling for you and make gardening more of a joy and less of a chore. 

Material

When considering the material your hand truck will be made out of, you need to consider how far you will have to transport the hand truck when not in use and how much use it will get in its lifetime.

If you will find yourself transporting it between locations, a lighter weight model may be useful.

However, if you are a commercial user who will be using your hand truck on a daily basis with heavy loads, then a sturdier model may be more cost-effective.

The main materials used are aluminum and steel. Aluminum is light, while those made from steel are heavy but ideal for constant usage.

Likewise, the material used in the tires of your hand truck is important as well. Solid rubber tires are preferable because they do not require re-inflation at any point. However, pneumatic tires have the advantage of traveling well over rough ground.

Therefore, your work or home environment is a consideration when looking at the tire material on the trucks. The bottom line is if you have delicate items to transport, pneumatic tires are an advantage. However, this probably not compatible with moving heavy loads.

Lastly, you would need to sort out in advance how heavy your average and maximum loads would be. Alongside that, consider the variety of loads you’ll be carrying as well.

Type

Different types of hand trucks suit different users. Besides that, if you need to transport goods in a variety of different locations, then one of the more versatile models may suit your needs better. However, for a factory or commercial setting, a more sturdy and a non-convertible type may be better suited to your needs.

If you require a hand truck for carrying luggage as well as heavier items, there are suitable trucks on this list for you. Keep in mind it is difficult to combine the heavy-duty tasks of furniture removal with the lighter ones of luggage carrying, so it pays to consider the use your truck will be put to before purchase.

It addition to that, if luggage carrying is required, the weight of the truck, once your travels are complete, will be a consideration.

In any case, anyone who has struggled with a heavy suitcase up a flight of stairs will appreciate that hand carts designed to do the job are invaluable.

Size

Meanwhile, it pays to consider where you will store your hand truck when it is not in use. One that folds away has the advantage of taking up less space than stronger, one-piece designs.

If you would pick the foldable hand cart, the frequency of use should be considered; a truck that has to be assembled before use is not so convenient.

You would also need to consider your users and hopefully not purchase a hand truck that is too unwieldy for your staff or yourself to use. Therefore, it pays to look at the dimensions of the truck before making your final selection.

Consequently, a truck with adjustable height will provide you with a safer working environment and more value if you have multiple users.

Most importantly, when it comes to size, some people forget that they may have to transport their hand truck to another location within another vehicle. It would do well to consider whether you or another person will be able to lift it into the vehicle required.

This goes on without saying that one should think about the room the hand truck will take up when being transported in this manner as well.

Additionally, it pays to consider the size of the tires on your hand truck when making your purchase. A larger diameter tire will obviously be useful if you have to carry heavier than average loads.

Price

Value for money should be your benchmark. Aim to set a budget for your purchase and then consider your needs. Do your research and find out which trucks meet your specifications.

Once you have found a make of hand truck that you love, shop around to see if you can obtain a better price for a better product.

Truck Make

A reliable brand is a good starting point when doing your research. Use the internet to find out what others are saying about prospective purchases.

Also, a reliable manufacturer will have a good warranty system. Although that is a feature that you hope you will never have to use, it pays to have it in place. Purchasing a hand truck is not a small purchase, after all.

Ready To Buy tHE Best Hand Truck for Stairs?

The final verdict is up to you. Everyone’s needs are different and the range of hand trucks in this list is quite large. Some are suitable for big jobs and others have different functions.

Don’t forget that safety is one of your main concerns so make sure you and others are able to use your hand truck properly once you have purchased it. Good luck with your purchase.

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